Description
This Vegan Chili Recipe is hearty, smoky, and loaded with beans, tender veggies, and a rich tomato base. One pot, big flavor, perfect for meal prep and busy weeknights.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil (or 1/4 cup vegetable broth for oil-free sauté)
1 medium onion, diced
1 bell pepper, sliced (green or red)
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chopped tomatoes (or 1 can diced tomatoes, 14–15 oz)
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 cups cooked beans (or 2 cans, 15 oz each, drained & rinsed) — kidney/black/pinto/white, any mix
1 medium carrot, grated
1–2 fresh red chili peppers, deseeded and minced (optional)
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or water), plus more as needed
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or 1 tsp chili powder), adjust to taste
1–2 tsp coconut sugar or brown sugar (or 2 tsp maple syrup), to taste
1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Sauté veggies: Heat oil (or broth) in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Cook tomatoes: Add chopped tomatoes and sauté 3–5 minutes to deepen flavor.
Build the chili: Add beans, grated carrot, tomato paste, chili peppers (if using), spices, sweetener, broth/water, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add extra broth/water if it gets too thick.
Adjust & serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot.
Optional creamy chili step: Blend 1–1 1/2 cups of chili until smooth, then stir back into the pot for a thicker, creamier texture.
Notes
Bean options: Any combo works—kidney, black, pinto, or white beans.
Heat level: Start with 1 chili (or less cayenne) and increase slowly.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container 3–5 days. Freeze 2–3 months.
Oil-free: Use broth/water for sautéing, adding splashes as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Tex-Mex Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 14 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg